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Apple deal not done, but Dr. Dre already hailed as hip-hop's first billionaire

Compiled by Tony Hicks

Contra Costa Times

Posted:
05/09/2014 11:23:07 AM MDT

The deal isn't done yet, but Dr. Dre is already being hyped as hip-hop's first billionaire.

That's because, as reported in the Mercury News, Dre is reportedly selling Beats Electronics, a headphone maker and streaming-music business, to Apple for $3.2 billion.

Right -- "billion." Yeah, that's a "b."

While the deal is described by various sources as still in talks, with an announcement expected next week, a Facebook video uploaded by actor Tyrese Gibson makes it look like maybe the deal is done.

Gibson jokes about a Forbes magazine list that ranked Dre -- the CEO of Beats Electronics -- second on its list the wealthiest hip-hop artists of 2014 with an estimated wealth of $550 million.

(FILES) Dr. Dre arrives for the Clive Davis And The Recording Academy's 2012 Pre-Grammy Gala And Salute To Industry Icons in Beverly Hills, California, in this February 11, 2012 file photo. Tech giant Apple is reportedly purchasing the audio equipment and music-streaming service Beats Electronics, co-founded by Dr Dre. In a deal that could be worth some 3.2 billion USD, Dr. Dre is poised to become the first billionaire hip-hop artist. AFP PHOTO/Joe KLAMAR/FILESJOE KLAMAR/AFP/Getty Images
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JOE KLAMAR
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"They need to update the Forbes list," Gibson jokes on the video. "(Expletive) just changed."

Dre adds, "The first billionaire in hip-hop, right here from the mother (expletive) West Coast."

Ahhhh yeah.

According to Forbes, the richest man in hip-hop is Sean Combs, who is apparently worth $700 million. Jay Z is in third place with $520 million.

Right now, Beyonce is telling someone he needs to get to work.

The Post said the video on Gibson's Facebook page has been pulled, but is still on YouTube.

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